July 26, 2024
You may have considered watching the opening ceremonies of this year's Olympic Games, but if you have not seen it yet, this year's presentation was anything but family friendly. What has for years been an artistic celebration of athleticism and the pride athletes take in representing their own countries this year became a pagan, anti-Christian event that overtly mocked God and promoted wicked ideas. From a bearded, scantily-clad drag queen dancing provocatively in the rain to a mockery of The Last Supper painting, the ceremony was filled with celebrations of the LGTBQ agenda and an embrace of what many viewers are describing as simply evil. A golden calf, a beheaded woman, a nearly-nude man painted blue, and other pagan, satanic symbolism filled the ceremony. Again, nothing family-friendly about this year's event kicking off the 2024 Olympic Games.
How can a Christian think biblically about this parade of evil? A few considerations:
Scripture says the world will get worse before Jesus returns. While we can and should be disgusted with an event such as this year's opening ceremony, we should not be surprised.
"And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold." - Matthew 24:12
"And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done." - Romans 1:28
Scripture says light has no fellowship with darkness. As the world grows darker and more depraved, the light of Christ that indwells disciples of Jesus Christ will be more evident. This growing chasm highlights the need each person has for salvation found only in Jesus Christ.
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" - 2 Corinthians 6:14
"...that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world..." - Philippians 2:15
Scripture says that Christ calls His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. While Christians rightly find mockery of Christ and the embrace of pagan behavior detestable, Christians must not take these affronts personally. See the rejection of Christ as an invitation to reach the lost with the saving knowledge of what Jesus Christ has done by dying a sinner's death and rising from the dead in order to offer every sinful human salvation and eternal life.
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." - Matthew 5:44
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